Flexible Support for Marine Cables, Hoses And/Or Mooring Lines

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for supporting cables, lines, and/or hoses that connect a moored boat to shore-based services includes a flexible rod and at least one guide. The flexible mod is mountable to a shore anchor, and the at least one guide is attached to the flexible rod. The at least one guide retains the at least one cable so that the at least one cable extends substantially parallel to the flexible rod.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/471,062, filed on Mar. 14, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the mooring of boats and, in particular, to methods and apparatuses for supporting cables, lines, and/or hoses that connect moored boats to shore-based services.

BACKGROUND

A boat moored to a dock is typically secured using cables or lines so that the boat can move relatively free in relation to the dock in response to waves and tidal changes. When moored, additional cables, lines, and/or hoses can be used to connect the boat to shore-based services, such as electricity and potable water. Like the cables or lines securing the boat to the dock, the cables, lines, and/or hoses providing shore-based services need to accommodate movement of the boat. As a result, the cables, lines, and/or hoses providing shore-based services can disrupt service by falling into the water, becoming entangled, or presenting a trip hazard. It is therefore desirable to provide methods and apparatuses for supporting the cables, lines, and/or hoses that connect moored boats to shore-based services while keeping the cables, lines, and/or hoses away from the water and the boat's sides and deck.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for supporting cables, lines, and/or hoses that connect moored boats to shore-based services. In a first implementation, an apparatus comprising a flexible rod and at least one guide is disclosed. The flexible rod is mountable to a shore anchor and attached to the at least one guide. The at least one guide retains the at least one cable so that the at least one cable extends substantially parallel to the flexible rod.

The at least one guide can be repositionable along a longitudinal length of the flexible rod and include a first arcuate support and a second arcuate support that extend substantially perpendicular from a sleeve. The first arcuate support and the second arcuate support can have substantially semi-circular configurations, and an opening of the first arcuate support can extend in an opposite direction of an opening of the second arcuate support. Circumferential ends of the sleeve can define a gap, and the sleeve can be fabricated from a material that urges the circumferential ends toward one another. The sleeve can be provided with an annular rib, and the flexible rod can be provided with at least one annular groove that is complementary to the annular rib of the sleeve. The sleeve can be provided with a threaded aperture, and a threaded fastener is used to secure the sleeve to the flexible rod. The at least one guide can be a coiled spring extending at least half a longitudinal length of the flexible rod.

In a second implementation, an apparatus comprising an elongated support, a flexible rod, and a guide is disclosed. The elongated support is mountable to a shore anchor and connected to the flexible rod. The guide extends at least half a longitudinal length of the flexible rod. The guide is coiled spring capable of receiving and retaining with the at least one cable.

The guide can have a first diameter at a first end and a second diameter at a second end. The first diameter can be less than the second diameter. Individual coils of the guide can be at a first distance apart at a first end of the guide and a second distance apart at a second end of the guide. The first distance can be less than the second distance. A first end of the flexible rod can be pivotably mounted to the elongated support, and the guide can be rotatably mounted to the elongated support. The guide can extend from the first end of the flexible rod to a second end of the flexible rod. A pin can releasably secure the guide to the flexible rod adjacent to a first intermediary point of the guide between the first end and the second end of the flexible rod. The first intermediary point of the guide can be closer to the first end of the flexible rod than the second end of the flexible rod.

The guide can have a first diameter at a first end of the guide and a second diameter at a second end of the guide. The first diameter can be less than the second diameter. The guide can begin transitioning from the first diameter to the second diameter adjacent to the first intermediary point of the guide. The guide can end the transition from the first diameter to the second diameter at a second intermediary point of the guide. A distance between the second intermediary point and the second end of the guide can be at least half of a total distance between the first end and the second end of the guide. The distance between the second intermediary point and the second end of the guide can be between 75 and 90 percent of the total distance between the first end and the second end of the guide.

In a third implementation, a method comprises mounting a flexible rod adjacent to the moored boat and a distribution pedestal and attaching at least one guide to the flexible rod. The at least one guide retains the at least one cable so that the at least one cable is substantially parallel to the flexible rod. A free end of the flexible rod can remain above the deck of the moored boat when the at least one cable is retained within the at least one guide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat moored at a dock and connected to shore-based services.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of an apparatus supporting cables, lines, and/or hoses that connect the boat to the shore-based services.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a guide in relation to a flexible rod.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the flexible rod with the guide according to a first means of connecting the guide to the flexible rod.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the flexible rod with the guide according to a second means of connecting the guide to the flexible rod.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the guide according to a third means of connecting the guide to the flexible rod.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the flexible rod according to the third means of connecting the guide to the flexible rod.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a second embodiment of the apparatus for supporting the cables, lines, and/or hoses that connect the boat to the shore-based services.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the second embodiment of the apparatus for supporting the cables, lines, and/or hoses that connect the boat to the shore-based services.

FIG. 10 is a detailed side view of section 10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of section 10 of FIG. 8 along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a detailed front view of section 12 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of section 12 of FIG. 9 along line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective side view of a third embodiment of the apparatus for supporting the cables, lines, and/or hoses that connect the boat to the shore-based services.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-14 illustrate methods and apparatuses for supporting cables, lines, and/or hoses (collectively referred to as “cables” herein) that connect moored boats to shore-based services, such as electricity, water, phone, cable TV, high-speed internet, etc. Outlets 100 to the shore-based services can be provided on distribution pedestals 102 mounted on a dock 104, which are shown in FIG. 1. One or more flexible cables 106 can be used to connect a boat 108 to the outlets 100 on the nearest distribution pedestal 102. The disclosed methods and apparatuses can be used to prevent the cables 106 from falling into the water, which can dispute service. The methods and apparatus also minimize trip hazards by keeping the cables 106 suspended above the dock 104 and a deck of the boat 108.

An apparatus 200 for supporting the cables 106 is shown in FIGS. 2-7 according to a first embodiment. The apparatus 200 comprises a base 202, a flexible, substantially cylindrical rod 204, and a plurality of guides 206. The configuration of the base 202 can vary depending on the implementation. As shown, the base 202 has a substantially conical configuration with a first end 208 of the flexible rod 204 fixedly mounted to the base 202 by having the flexible rod 204 extend through an aperture 210 provided in a top end of the base 202. The base 202 may then be secured to a shore anchor, as will be described later. Other configurations, such as a rectangular prism or triangular pyramid, are possible.

The flexible rod 204 is fabricated from a strong, resilient, and flexible material, such as fiberglass, and is sized so that a second end 212 of the flexible rod 204 remains above the deck of the boat 108 moored nearby when loads are applied to the flexible rod 204, and the second end 212 arches toward the first end 208 due to the weight of the cables 106. The guides 206 are spaced along the flexible rod 204 from the first end 208 to the second end 212. The spacing between the guides 206 can be equidistant or can vary depending on the implementation.

Each guide 206 on the flexible rod 204 can be comprised of a first arcuate support 300 and a second arcuate support 302 that are substantially semi-circular and spaced a distance D from one another. Openings of the first arcuate support 300 and the second arcuate support 302 are positioned facing opposite directions so that the first arcuate support 300 and the second arcuate support 302 would overlap and form a closed loop if the first arcuate support 300 and the second arcuate support 302 were immediately adjacent to one another. This configuration allows the cables 106 to be quickly routed in relation to the flexible rod 204 by inserting the cables 106 within the first arcuate support 300 and the second arcuate support 302 without the need for tools or access to free ends (not shown) of the cables 106. The first arcuate support 300 and the second arcuate support 302 can be connected to a substantially cylindrical sleeve 304 such that the first arcuate support 300 and the second arcuate support 302 are substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to a through-bore extending through the sleeve 304. The flexible rod 204 is connected to the sleeve 304 by having the flexible rod 204 extend through the through-bore of the sleeve 304 of the guide 206.

Various means can be used to connect the guides 206 to the flexible rod 204. In one implementation, the through bore of the sleeve 304 is sized to receive an outer circumference of the flexible rod 204 in a friction fit at any desired position along the flexible rod 204. Adhesives can further be used to permanently secure the guides 206 at desired positions along the flexible rod 204. In other implementation, the sleeve 304 can be fabricated from a spring-like material and provided with a gap 400 defined by circumferential ends 402 of the sleeve 304, shown in FIG. 4. The use of the spring-like material with the gap 400 allows the guides 206 to be temporarily affixed at desired positions along the flexible rod 204 by urging the sleeve 304 over the outer circumference of the flexible rod 204 such that the circumferential ends 402 of the sleeve 304 are forced apart thereby biasing the circumferential ends 402 toward one another when mounted on the flexible rod 204 and applying force on the flexible rod 204.

In another implementation shown in FIG. 5, the sleeve 304 is provided with a threaded aperture 500 instead of the gap 400. In this implementation of the sleeve 304, the threaded aperture 500 is sized and configured to accept a threaded fastener 502, such as an Allen screw. The threaded fastener 502 allows the guides 206 to be frictionally secured to the flexible rod 204 at desired positions along the flexible rod 204 by threading the fastener 502 into the threaded aperture 500 until an end of the fastener 502 strongly engages the outer circumference of the flexible rod 204.

In yet another implementation shown in FIGS. 6-7, each guide 206 is provided with an annular rib 702 that extends radially inward from an inner diameter of the sleeve 304 into the through-bore. The flexible rod 204 is provided with annular grooves 700 spaced at predetermined intervals along the length of the flexible rod 204. The annular ribs 702 of the guides 206 are complementary to and engage the annular grooves 700 in the flexible rod 204 so that the guides 206 are frictionally held in place along the flexible rod 204. The annular ribs 702 can be resilient so that the guides 206 can be repositioned along the flexible rod 204 to different annular grooves 700 as desired.

The apparatus 200 is used by first temporarily or permanently mounting the base 202 on a shore anchor using fasteners (not shown), such as lag bolts or screws. The shore anchor could be the dock 104 or a structure near the dock 104, such as a piling or concrete base. When the boat 108 is moored at the dock 104 near the apparatus 200, the cables 106 can be quickly routed through each of the guides 206 along the flexible rod 204 so that the first arcuate support 300 and the second arcuate support 302 retain the cables 106 with the cables 106 extend substantially parallel to the flexible rod 204. The configuration of the guides 206 allows this routing to occur both before or while the cables 106 are connected to the boat 108 and the distribution pedestal 102. Moreover, because the flexible rod 204 can flex in relation to both the shore anchor and the boat 108, the apparatus 200 can continue holding the cables 106 in slight tension even as the boat 108 moves in response to waves and changes in tide height. While the flexible rod 204 may bend due to the load applied by the weight of the cables 106, the second end 212 of the flexible rod 204 remains suspended above the deck of the boat 108.

An apparatus 600 for supporting the cables 106 is shown in FIGS. 8-13 according to a second embodiment. The apparatus 600 comprises a base 602, an elongated support 604, a guide 606, and a flexible rod 608. As shown, the base 602 has a substantially disc-like configuration with a first end 610 of the elongated support 604 fixedly connected to the base 602. To provide additional support, gusset plates 612 can be connected to the base 602 and the first end 610 of the elongated support 604. The gusset plates 612 can have a substantially triangular configuration and/or be spaced in an equidistant manner around an outer circumference of the elongated support 604 and the base 602.

The elongated support 604 can have a substantially tubular configuration with the diameter of the outer circumference remaining substantially constant from the first end 610 to a second end 614 of the elongated support 604. Brackets 616 can be mounted to the elongated support 604 approximately halfway between the first end 610 and the second end 614 of the elongated support 604 using fasteners (not shown), such as screws or bolts, or other connecting means, such as welding or integrally formed. The brackets 616 are configured to have excess portions of the cables 106 looped around the brackets 616 when the cables 606 are retained with the guide 606. As shown, each bracket 616 is formed from an elongated rod bent into a generally triangular configuration. The brackets 616 are angled generally upwards so that the cables 106 can rest against the elongated support 604 when positioned around the brackets 616.

The second end 614 of the elongated support 604 is open so that that elongated support 604 can receive a bushing 618 and a rod 620. The bushing 618 is configured so that the rod 620 can freely rotate 360-degrees relative to the bushing 618 and the elongated support 604. In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the bushing 618 has a substantially tubular configuration with an annular flange 622 formed on an end of the bushing 618 that extends outward away from a central longitudinal axis of the bushing 618. On the same end of the bushing 618 as the annular flange 622, a chamfer 624 can be formed on an inner periphery 626 of the bushing 618 that assists with receiving the rod 620 within the bushing 618. The inner periphery 626 of the bushing 618 defines a through-bore that extends through both longitudinal ends of the bushing 618. The bushing 618 can be fabricated from an electrically insulating material, such as plastic.

A taco swivel 628 is attached to a first end 630 of the rod 620 and is positioned adjacent to the annular flange 622 and the chamfer 624 of the bushing 618. The taco swivel 628 has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration with ends 632 of the U-shaped configuration being substantially arcuate along outer edges 634. A middle section 636 of the U-shaped configuration of the taco swivel 628 can be provided with a recess 638 to receive the first end 630 of the rod 620. The recess 638 can have a substantially disc-like configuration that is complementary to and coaxially aligned with a substantially cylindrical configuration of the rod 620. Each end 632 of the U-shaped configuration of the taco swivel 628 can be provided with a first aperture 640 centrally located adjacent to the middle section 636 that extends through the end 632. Each end 632 of the U-shaped configuration of the taco swivel 628 can also be provided with second apertures 642 spaced along the outer edge 634 of the end 632. In the illustrated, non-limiting example, there are three second apertures 642 on each end 632.

A flange 644 of a pivotable connector 646 is sandwiched between the ends 632 of taco swivel 628. A first aperture 648 and a second aperture 650 extend through the flange 644. The first aperture 648 is disposed on a free end 652 of the flange 644 and is aligned with the first apertures 640 in the ends 632 of the taco swivel 628 so that a pivot pin, such as a shoulder screw 654 with a locknut 656, can extend through the first apertures 640, 648. The second aperture 650 of the flange 644 is spaced from the first aperture 648 so that the second aperture 650 is aligned with the second apertures 642 on the ends 632 of the taco swivel 628. A quick-release pin 658 can extend through any set of aligned second apertures 642, 650 to hold the pivotable connector 646 in a desired position, and a lanyard 660 can be used to tether the quick-release pin 658 to the taco swivel 628 so that the quick-release pin 658 is not misplaced.

The pivotable connector 646 has a disc-like member 662 connected to the flange 644 opposite the free end 652. The disc-like member 662 has an annular wall 664 that extends circumferentially away from the disc-like member 662 in the opposite direction as the flange 644. The annular wall 664 defines a recess that a first end 668 of the guide 606 and a first end 670 of a guide support 672 are seated within.

The guide support 672 is a substantially tubular member that can be closed on a first end 674 adjacent to the disc-like member 662 and open on a second end 676. Near the second end 676 of the guide support 672, a bore 678 can extend through the guide support 672 that is capable of receiving a quick-release pin 680. The bore 678 can be in communication with a cavity 682 that extends through the guide support 672 longitudinally from the second end 676.

The cavity 682 of the guide support 672 is configured to receive a first end 684 of the flexible rod 608. The flexible rod 608 is similar to the flexible rod 204. Specifically, the flexible rod 608 is fabricated from a strong, resilient, and flexible material, such as fiberglass, and is sized so that a second end 686 of the flexible rod 608 remains above at least the deck of the boat 108 moored nearby when loads are applied to the flexible rod 608 and the second end 686 arches toward the first end 684. The flexible rod 608 is provided with a through-bore 688 that aligns with the bore 678 extending through the guide support 672 so that the quick-release pin 680 can secure the first end 684 of the flexible rod 608 to the guide support 672. The second end 686 of the flexible rod 608 can be attached to a collar 690 disposed on a second end 692 of the guide 606. The collar 690 can be fabricated from an electrically insulating material, such as plastic.

The guide 606 can be a coiled spring that surrounds the flexible rod 608 from the first end 684 to the second end 686. The coiled spring forms a diameter of the guide 606 that can vary between a first end 694 and the second end 692 of the guide 606. Between the first end 694 and a first intermediary point 696, the guide 606 has a minimum diameter so that the guide 606 fits tightly around the guide support 672. The first intermediary point 696 is spaced a distance from the second end 676 of the guide support 672. The diameter of the guide 606 can increase between the first intermediary point 696 and a second intermediary point 698 and remain substantially constant at a maximum diameter from the second intermediary point 698 to the second end 692 of the guide 606. The distance between the first end 694 and the second intermediary point 698 of the guide 606 is approximately ten percent of the distance between the first end 694 and the second end 692 of the guide 606. The maximum diameter of the guide 606 is sized so that the cables 106 can be accommodated within the guide 606 between the second intermediary point 698 and the second end 692 of the guide 606.

Similarly, the spacing between individual coils of the guide 606 can vary as well. Between the first end 694 and the first intermediary point 696, the individual coils of the guide 606 can be wound tightly so that the individual coils are touching or in close proximity to one another. The spacing between the individual coils of the guide 606 can increase between the first intermediary point 696 and the second intermediary point 698 and remain substantially constant between the second intermediary point 698 and the second end 692 of the guide 606. The spacing between the individual coils of the guide 606 can be largest between the second intermediary point 698 and the second end 692 of the guide 606.

Like the apparatus 200, the apparatus 600 is used by first temporarily or permanently mounting the base 602 to a shore anchor using fasteners (not shown), such as lag bolts or screws. The shore anchor could be the dock 104 or a structure near the dock 104, such as a piling or concrete base. When the boat 108 is moored at the dock 104 near the apparatus 600, the cables 106 are retained within the guide 606 between the second intermediary point 698 and the second end 692 of the guide 606. The cables 106 are inserted into the guide 606 by placing an end of each cable 106 into the collar 690 and pulling the end of the cable 106 downward until reaching the second intermediary point 698 where the end of the cable 106 is pulled out of the guide 606 between an opening 704 formed between adjoining coils of the guide 606. The ends of the cables 106 are then connected to the outlets 100 on the distribution pedestal 102 and the boat 108. Alternatively, the ends of the cables 106 could be inserted near the second intermediary point 698 and pulled out of the guide 606 through the collar 690. Once within the guide 606, the cables 106 extend substantially parallel to the flexible rod 608. Excess portions of the cables 106 can be looped around the brackets 616 as desired by the user.

Because the flexible rod 608 can flex in relation to both the shore anchor and the boat 108, the apparatus 600 can continue holding the cables 106 in slight tension even as the boat 108 moves in response to waves and changes in tide height. While the flexible rod 608 may bend due to the load applied by the weight of the cables 106, the second end 686 of the flexible rod 204 remains suspended above the deck of the boat 108. As needed, the user can vary the angle formed between the elongated support 604 and the flexible rod 608 by removing the quick-release pin 658 from the set of aligned second apertures 642, 650 that the quick-release pin 658 is currently within and re-inserting the quick-release pin 658 into a different set of aligned second apertures 642, 650. The user can also rotate the guide 606 circumferentially relative to the elongated support 604 and the base 602 so that the guide 606 is angled toward the boat 108.

An apparatus 800 for supporting the cables 106 is shown in FIG. 14 according to a third embodiment. The apparatus 800 is similar to the apparatus 600 except as will be explained. To prevent the taco swivel 628 and the guide 606 from rotating circumferentially relative to the elongated support 604, the taco swivel 628 can be provided with a flange 802 that extends radially away from the taco swivel 628. In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the flange 802 extends from the middle section 636 of the taco swivel 628. The flange 802 can be integrally formed with the taco swivel 628 or attached by other means, such as welding. The flange 802 is provided with an aperture 804 that extends through the flange 802 in a manner that can be substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongated support 604. The aperture 804 is sized to receive a quick-release pin 806.

The elongated support 604 can be provided with an annular flange 808 extending radially away from a second end 614 of the elongated support 604. The annular flange 808 is provided with at least one aperture 810 that extends through the annular flange 808 in a manner that can be substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongated support 604. The apertures 810 are sized to receive the quick-release pin 806. As shown, the annular flange 808 is provided with six apertures 810 that are spaced in a substantially equidistant manner along the annular flange 808. The spacing and number of aperture can vary depending on the implementation.

The apparatus 800 is used in a manner similar with the apparatus 600. When the user desires to prevent circumferential rotation of the guide 606 relative to the elongated support 604, the user aligns the aperture 804 in the flange 802 with one of the apertures 810 of the annular flange 808. The quick-release pin 806 is then inserted into the aligned apertures 804, 810. When the user needs to rotate the guide 606 circumferentially relative to the elongated support 604 in order to place the guide 606 in a desired location or orientation, the quick-release pin 806 can be removed from the apertures 804, 810, the guide 606 rotated to a desired location, and the quick-release pin 806 inserted back into the apertures 804, 810 to secure the guide 606 in the desired location and orientation.

While the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for supporting at least one cable that connects a moored boat to shore-based services above a deck of the moored boat, the apparatus comprising: a flexible rod mountable to a shore anchor; and at least one guide attached to the flexible rod and retaining the at least one cable so that the at least one cable extends substantially parallel to the flexible rod.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide is repositionable along a longitudinal length of the flexible rod.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide comprises a first arcuate support and a second arcuate support extending substantially perpendicular from a sleeve.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first arcuate support and the second arcuate support have substantially semi-circular configurations, and an opening of the first arcuate support extends in an opposite direction of an opening of the second arcuate support.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein circumferential ends of the sleeve define a gap, and the sleeve is fabricated from a material that urges the circumferential ends toward one another.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sleeve is provided with an annular rib, and the flexible rod is provided with at least one annular groove for complementarily receiving the annular rib of the sleeve.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sleeve is provided with a threaded aperture, and a threaded fastener extends through the threaded aperture and engages the flexible rod to secure the sleeve to the flexible rod.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide is a wire spring extending at least half a longitudinal length of the flexible rod.
 9. An apparatus for supporting at least one cable that connects a moored boat to shore-based services above a deck of the moored boat, the apparatus comprising: an elongated support mountable to a shore anchor; a flexible rod connected to the elongated support; and a guide extending at least half a longitudinal length of the flexible rod, wherein the guide is a coiled spring capable of receiving the at least one cable.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the guide has a first diameter at a first end and a second diameter at a second end, and the first diameter is less than the second diameter.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein individual coils of the guide are a first distance apart at a first end of the guide and a second distance apart at a second end of the guide, and the first distance is less than the second distance.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a first end of the flexible rod is pivotably mounted to the elongated support, and the guide is rotatably mounted to the elongated support.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the guide extends from the first end of the flexible rod to a second end of the flexible rod.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a pin releasably secures the guide to the flexible rod adjacent to a first intermediary point of the guide between the first end and the second end of the flexible rod, and the first intermediary point of the guide is closer to the first end of the flexible rod than the second end of the flexible rod.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the guide has a first diameter at a first end of the guide and a second diameter at a second end of the guide, the first diameter is less than the second diameter, and the guide begins transitioning from the first diameter to the second diameter adjacent to the first intermediary point of the guide.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the guide ends the transition from the first diameter to the second diameter at a second intermediary point of the guide, and a distance between the second intermediary point and the second end of the guide is at least half of a total distance between the first end and the second end of the guide.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the distance between the second intermediary point and the second end of the guide is between 75 and 95 percent of the total distance between the first end and the second end of the guide.
 19. A method of supporting at least one cable that connects a moored boat to shore-based services above a deck of the moored boat, the method comprising: mounting a flexible rod adjacent the moored boat and a distribution pedestal; and attaching at least one guide to the flexible rod to retain the at least one cable so that the at least one cable is substantially parallel to the flexible rod.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein a free end of the flexible rod remains above the deck of the moored boat when the at least one cable is retained within the at least one guide. 